The 40th and 41st symphonies of Mozart’s chronology will be played in the concert program, as well as Sinfonia Concertante, which will be performed by violinist Vineta Sareika and violist Amihaj Gross (Amihai Grosz).
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s 40th Symphony in G minor belongs to the symphonic canvases of the composer’s “grand finale trilogy”, which marks the culmination of the Viennese classicist’s professional maturity. All three symphonies in the cycle – Symphony 39 in Eb minor, Symphony 40 in S minor and Symphony 41 in Doma major (Jupiter) were made in a relatively short period of time – in the summer months of 1788. During the composer’s lifetime, the scores of the symphonies were never published, and there is an assumption that they were created as a single artistic whole, not individual works. Over time, the trilogy has been able to maintain the unrelenting attention of the public and has caused strong feelings of excitement in it, therefore the evaluations of the symphonic cycle in different times and nations have been completely different, even ambiguous.
Romantic-era composer Robert Schumanis attributed the qualities of “Greek sophistication and grace” to the symphony cycle, while prominent 20th-century musicologist and acknowledged specialist in Mozart’s musical heritage, Alfred Einstein, believed that symphonies radiated an aura of “heroic tragedy”.
Along with the performances of the 40th and 41st symphonies, Jērgs Vidmanis and Berlin Philharmonic the outstanding concertmasters – violinist Vineta Sareika and violist Amihajs Gross will offer Latvian listeners the opportunity to listen to Mozart’s work created in 1779 Sinfonia Concertante, in which the intense dramaturgy is combined with the unrelenting virtuosity of the instrumental concert, which balances both the hearts of the romantic singer and the flight of sounds of the master of acoustics.
With musically complementary and educational stories, Jērgs Vidmanis will be present at the pre-concert lecture The untamed. Twelve sounds fantasist – MOCARTS this Thursday, October 31, at 16.00 in the Organ Hall of the Jāzepa Vītola Latvian Academy of Music.
Jērgs Vidmanis (1973) is one of the brightest and most versatile artists of our time, who masters the clarinet virtuoso, creates his own music, stands at the conductor’s desk with equal passion.
Vidmanis learned the clarinet from Gerd Starke in Munich and Charles Neidich at the Juilliard School in New York. He regularly performs with renowned orchestras such as Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, The Orchester National de France, the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, the Washington National Symphony Orchestra, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and collaborates with conductors such as Daniel Barenboim, Christoph Eschenbach and Christoph von Dohnani.
Since February 2024, Jērgs Vidmanis has started his three-year cooperation with the State Chamber Orchestra Sinfonietta Riga as an artistic partner.
Mozart, Maestro, and a Dash of Madness
Ladies and gents, welcome to the exquisite world of classical music, where emotional intensity flows like a cheap red wine at a dinner party. We’ve got Mozart’s 40th and 41st symphonies on the docket, plus a delightful little ditty known as Sinfonia Concertante, featuring the scintillating violinist Vineta Sareika and the violist with a name you might just mispronounce at a pub quiz, Amihaj Gross. Or is it Amihai Grosz? I don’t know; I just call him “the viola guy.”
Mozart’s Grand Finale Trilogy: The “Oh Wow!” Factor
Now let’s talk about Mozart’s 40th Symphony in G minor. It’s part of what some folks might label his “grand finale trilogy.” Now this isn’t just some random Monday night concert; we’re talking the culmination of the Viennese classicist’s professional maturity. Like that awkward friend who finally gets their life together after years of bad decisions, Mozart decided to throw down the artistic gauntlet in the summer of 1788 with not one, not two, but THREE symphonies! Talk about a major overachiever!
But here’s the kicker: these masterpieces didn’t even see the light of publication during his lifetime. It’s as if Mozart said, “Yeah, so what if I’ve crafted this trio of masterpieces? Who needs recognition?” The unassuming visionary he was! However, audiences have been buzzing about this trilogy for centuries, and the interpretations have been, quite frankly, as varied as the number of flavors at an ice cream shop.
A Bit of Drama: From Schumann to Einstein
Romantic-era composer Robert Schumann described this musical trilogy with terms like “Greek sophistication and grace”—you know, like a swan gliding gracefully across a lake while secretly plotting to sabotage the other birds. Meanwhile, 20th-century musicologist Alfred Einstein—no relation to that other Einstein, just to clarify—thought this symphonic trifecta exuded “heroic tragedy.” We’re talking epic emotions, folks, like a soap opera but with fewer love triangles and more violins.
Concert Spotlight: Watching Maestro Vidmanis in Action
Joining in on the fun is conductor and clarinet wizard, Jērgs Vidmanis. This guy’s not just a ‘one-trick pony’; he’s out here as a clarinet virtuoso, a music creator, and, oh yes, he also conducts. Imagine him juggling clarinets and batons like a circus act. He’s not just performing with numerous prestigious orchestras, he’s also setting the stage ablaze with his charismatic flair. And yes, I assume he can walk and chew gum at the same time, too.
If you want to catch some musically rich stories, be sure to attend Vidmanis’ pre-concert lecture titled The Untamed. Twelve Sounds Fantasist – MOCARTS, happening this Thursday, October 31st at 4 PM. It’ll be at the Jāzepa Vītola Latvian Academy of Music, which sounds awfully fancy, doesn’t it? Just imagine the kind of people who will grace that hall—probably not the same folks who show up at your local pub quiz, that’s for sure.
Conclusion: Symphony, Schumann, and Shenanigans
So, whether you’re a seasoned classical aficionado or someone who thinks ‘Mozart’ is just a breed of fancy dog, this concert is bound to be a spectacle of emotional highs and glorious musical lows—a rollercoaster ride of cultural decadence, if you will. Pair that with a little musical storytelling from Vidmanis, and you’re in for a night of sheer entertainment. Just remember: if you find yourself confused in the concert hall, don’t fret! Just nod your head at the right moments, and you’ll fit right in.
So grab your tickets, polish your tuxedo (or hoodie—no judgment here!), and get ready for a night where music reigns supreme with a sprinkle of cheeky humor. Mozart would be proud. Or at least mildly amused.
The concert program will prominently feature Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s esteemed 40th and 41st symphonies, alongside the captivating Sinfonia Concertante. This remarkable piece will showcase the talents of renowned violinist Vineta Sareika and accomplished violist Amihaj Gross (Amihai Grosz), promising an evening of unforgettable classical music.
Mozart’s 40th Symphony, composed in G minor, is a significant work within the celebrated “grand finale trilogy” of symphonies, marking a pivotal moment in the Viennese classicist’s artistic evolution. This trilogy, which also includes Symphony 39 in E-flat minor and Symphony 41 in C major (Jupiter), was remarkably composed during the summer of 1788. The scores of these symphonies remained unpublished during Mozart’s lifetime, leading to speculation that they were conceived as a unified artistic statement rather than as standalone compositions. Over the years, this trilogy has captivated audiences, eliciting a diverse range of responses, and continues to inspire intrigue and passion across eras and cultures.
Notable composer Robert Schumann remarked on the cycle’s “Greek sophistication and grace,” while the eminent 20th-century musicologist Alfred Einstein described the symphonies as exuding an essence of “heroic tragedy,” highlighting the profound impact these works have had on the musical landscape.
This concert will not only feature the renowned 40th and 41st symphonies but also present Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante, composed in 1779. Under the baton of Jērgs Vidmanis, alongside the prestigious Berlin Philharmonic, the concert will showcase the passionate interplay between violinist Vineta Sareika and violist Amihaj Gross. The Sinfonia Concertante weaves together intense dramaturgy and virtuosic instrumentation, bridging the emotional depth of the romantic singer with the brilliance of acoustics, offering attendees a rich auditory experience.
In addition to the concert, there will be a pre-concert lecture titled The Untamed. Twelve Sounds Fantasist – MOZARTS, conducted by Jērgs Vidmanis. This engaging talk will take place on Thursday, October 31, at 16:00 in the Organ Hall of the Jāzepa Vītola Latvian Academy of Music, providing valuable insights into Mozart’s work and creative process.
Jērgs Vidmanis, born in 1973, stands out as one of contemporary music’s most dynamic and multifaceted artists. He excels as a clarinet virtuoso, composes his music, and conducts with equal fervor, demonstrating his diverse talents in the classical music realm.
Vidmanis honed his clarinet skills under the tutelage of esteemed instructors, Gerd Starke in Munich and Charles Neidich at the Juilliard School in New York. His illustrious career includes performances with illustrious orchestras, such as the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Orchestre National de France, Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, Washington National Symphony Orchestra, Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, and Toronto Symphony Orchestra. He has collaborated with celebrated conductors, including Daniel Barenboim, Christoph Eschenbach, and Christoph von Dohnáni, further establishing his reputation in the classical music community.
Beginning in February 2024, Jērgs Vidmanis will embark on a new chapter as he begins a three-year partnership with the State Chamber Orchestra Sinfonietta Riga as an artistic partner, promising to enrich the cultural scene with his innovative contributions.
